UN Emergency Fund releases $25 million to support critical aid operations in Yemen
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(New York, 25 June 2015) – United Nations humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien is releasing US$25 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support lifesaving assistance for millions of people affected by the devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
“Innocent civilians in Yemen are paying a terrible price,” said the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. “They face daily airstrikes, shelling and fighting while medical supplies, fuel and food are running out, and basic services have collapsed.”
The conflict in Yemen has intensified since March this year, and today over 21 million Yemenis – a staggering 80 per cent of the country’s population – need humanitarian assistance.
Damaged infrastructure and a major fuel shortfall have added to deepening food insecurity, caused significant disruptions in the provision of basic services including water, sanitation and healthcare, and hampered the delivery of urgent aid.
Despite these immense challenges and the serious safety concerns that come with working in a conflict zone, relief organizations on the ground are working hard to reach people in need.
The allocation from CERF will support critical relief projects including providing fuel, medicine, emergency supplies, clean water, sanitation services and nutrition programmes to people in need.
It will help aid agencies deliver lifesaving assistance through increased humanitarian air services and improved port facilities.
Aid agencies in Yemen have received $107 million from CERF for critical assistance since 2007.
CERF pools donor contribution in a single fund so that money is available to start or continue urgent relief work anywhere in the world. Since its inception in 2006, 125 UN Member States and dozens of private-sector donors and regional Governments have contributed to the Fund.
CERF has allocated more than $4 billion in support of humanitarian operations in 95 countries and territories.
For further information, please contact:
Michelle Delaney, OCHA New York, +1 917 226 6308, +1 917 367 4568, delaneym@un.org
Tomas de Mul, CERF secretariat, +1 917 367 6013, +1 917 250 8400, demul@un.org
OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int